Circulation and sepsis
Phoenix Sepsis Score
The 2024 international criteria for sepsis and septic shock in children.
For education. Check against your unit's guidance and a second clinician before use.
Respiratory
Use the worst values. PaO₂ in mmHg (kPa × 7.5). SpO₂:FiO₂ only counts when SpO₂ is 97% or less.
Cardiovascular
Leave blank if not measured (scores 0).
mmol/L
Leave blank if not measured (scores 0).
mmHg
Coagulation
1 point each, up to 2. Leave unticked if not measured.
Neurological
Choose an answer for respiratory, vasoactive medicines and neurological.
Before you use this
- Phoenix defines sepsis for research and reporting, and was designed for settings with and without intensive care. It is not a screening tool: use your local sepsis screening and escalation tools to find children who may have sepsis.
- For children under 18. Not for newborns born before 37 weeks, or in the first days after birth.
How this is calculated
- Four areas are scored from the worst values available:respiratory (0–3), cardiovascular (0–6: vasoactive medicines 0–2, lactate 0–2, MAP for age 0–2), coagulation (0–2) and neurological (0–2).
- Lactate: 5 to under 11 mmol/L scores 1; 11 or more scores 2.
- MAP for age (mmHg), 1 point / 2 points: under 1 month 17–30 / under 17; 1–11 months 25–38 / under 25; 1 year 31–43 / under 31; 2–4 years 32–44 / under 32; 5–11 years 36–48 / under 36; 12–17 years 38–51 / under 38.
- Tests not done score 0.
- Sepsis: suspected infection and a score of 2 or more. Septic shock: sepsis with at least 1 cardiovascular point.
Sources
- Schlapbach LJ, et al. International consensus criteria for pediatric sepsis and septic shock. JAMA 2024;331:665–74.
- Sanchez-Pinto LN, et al. Development and validation of the Phoenix criteria for pediatric sepsis and septic shock. JAMA 2024;331:675–86.
Checked by PICUlearn, 21 Sept 2026.